Vodafone today announces it has signed global agreements(1) with the leading computer equipment suppliers Dell, Fujitsu-Siemens, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Psion Teklogix and Toshiba to offer business customers an extensive range of 'Connected by Vodafone' mobile computing devices such as notebooks, PDAs and Tablet PCs with easy connection to Vodafone's GPRS data network.

Earlier this month, Vodafone announced the launch of Vodafone Remote Access as part of the Mobile Office programme. 'Connected by Vodafone' is the next deliverable under this programme. In partnership with Vodafone, computer equipment suppliers will offer, market and sell a variety of mobile data connectivity solutions(2), including Vodafone Remote Access. For the first time, business customers will be able to receive 'Connected by Vodafone' devices from their existing computer equipment supplier, heralding a new era in the provision of corporate data. All 'Connected by Vodafone' devices will be tested, configured and supported by their supplier, providing business customers with instant, secure mobile access to their corporate networks.

'Connected by Vodafone' delivers the customer's favoured device ready for mobile access to corporate email, databases, intranets and other core applications. It makes this easy by removing the complexity of implementation and configuration currently faced by users.

All 'Connected by Vodafone' customers will enjoy the benefits of Vodafone's extensive GPRS footprint, enabling them to seamlessly access their services whenever they travel abroad. 'Connected by Vodafone' roaming customers will experience the same Vodafone "look and feel" and will receive the same consistent levels of Vodafone service performance and security they experience on their home Vodafone networks.

Thomas Geitner, Chief Executive, Global Products and Services, Vodafone, said:

"By providing an integrated mobile data and IT solution from a single source, 'Connected by Vodafone' is a step change in the way in which business customers can fulfil their mobile business needs. By partnering with IT vendors to integrate, configure and test mobile access at the point of manufacture, business customers can now choose to purchase their preferred integrated mobile hardware device in the knowledge that it will be fully supported by their supplier of choice.

"IT departments benefit as supply, implementation and support complexities are eliminated, ultimately providing users with a superior experience and greater assurance as to the reliability and robustness of the solution."

For further information contact:

VODAFONE GROUP PLC
Tim Brown, Group Corporate Affairs Director
Melissa Stimpson, Director of Group Investor Relations
Bobby Leach, Head of Group Financial Media Relations
Darren Jones, Senior Investor Relations Manager
Janine Young, Group Communications Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310

TAVISTOCK COMMUNICATIONS
Lulu Bridges/John West
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7600 2288


FOR DELL COMPUTERS
Julie Eubank and Lesley Henderson, Ogilvy PR Worldwide
Tel: +44 (0)207 309 1237/ 1199
e-mail: julie.eubank@uk.ogilvypr.com / lesley.henderson@uk.ogilvypr.com

FOR FUJITSU-SIEMENS COMPUTERS EUROPE
Manfred Weis, PR Manager
Tel.: +49 (0)821-804-2662
Fax: +49 (0)821-804-2572
e-mail: manfred.weis@fujitsu-siemens.com

FOR HEWLETT PACKARD
Sheila Kalra, Worldwide Public Relations Manager, Smart Handhelds
Tel: +1 281 514 6552
e-mail: sheila.kalra@hp.com

FOR IBM
Claire Berry, Media Relations Manager for IBM Personal Computing Division Communications
Tel: +44 207 202 3090
e-mail: claire_berry@uk.ibm.com

FOR PSION TEKLOGIX
Will Rae or Federica Monsone
Hotwire PR
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7608 4638
Liza Loughman, European Marketing Manager
Psion Teklogix
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 443030

FOR TOSHIBA (COMPUTER SYSTEMS DIVISION)
Manuel Linnig, Manager Public/Analyst Relations EMEA, Toshiba Europe GmbH
Tel: +49 2131 158 113
Fax: +49 2131 158 558
e-mail: manuel.linnig@toshiba-teg.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Vodafone has signed global framework agreements with each of the IT manufacturers mentioned within this release. The availability of 'Connected by Vodafone' devices within the individual markets will occur on a phased basis.

2. The mobile connectively solutions offered by each IT hardware vendor will vary and may not include Vodafone Remote Access at launch.